Releasable hook

ABSTRACT

In the mooring of ships and boats to a dock, it is necessary to have a line run from the ship or boat to the dock. The line can be more or less tight and must be fixed so as to allow relatively little movement of the ship or boat with respect to the dock. Then, when it is necessary to allow the ship or boat to sail away from the dock, it is necessary to disengage the line from the fastening means on the dock. This invention relates to a fastening means whereby a line can be positioned to the fastening means for securing the ship or boat adjacent to the dock. Then, the person on the dock can mechanically actuate the fastening means to allow the line to slip away from the fastening means and also to allow the ship or boat to sail away from the dock. This fastening means is identified as a releasable hook. When it is desired to have the ship or boat fixedly secured with respect to the dock, the fastening means is in a locked position to firmly position the line. Then, when it is desired to allow the line to be slipped and to allow the ship or boat to sail away from the dock, the operator on the dock can quickly and easily disengage the fastening means, or releasable hook, from the line.

United States Patent 191 Epstein Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 RELEASABLE HOOK lrving Epstein, 4216 Shoreclub Dr., Mercer lsland, Wash. 98040 [22] Filed: Jan. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. N0.: 2,086

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry Attorney-Thomas W. Secrest [57] ABSTRACT In the mooring of ships and boats to a dock, it is necessary to have a line run from the ship or boat to the dock. The line can be more or less tight and must be fixed so as to allow relatively little movement of the ship or boat with respect to the dock. Then, when it is necessary to allow the ship or boat to sail away from the dock, it is necessary to disengage the line from the fastening means on the clock. This invention relates to a fastening means whereby a line can be positioned to the fastening means for securing the ship or boat adjacent to the dock. Then, the person on the dock can mechanically actuate the fastening means to allow the line to slip away from the fastening means and also to allow the ship or boat to sail away from the dock. This fastening means is identified as a releasable hook. When it is desired to have the ship or boat fixedly secured with respect to the dock, the fastening means is in a locked position to firmly position the line. Then, when it is desired to allow the line to be slipped and to allow the ship or boat to sail away from the dock, the operator on the dock can quickly and easily disengage the fastening means, or releasable hook, from the line.

PATENTEDUET: 2197s SHEET 1!)? 2 HTTOR/VEV RELEASABLE HOOK An object of this invention is to provide a positive catch for a line running from a ship or boat to the dock and also a positive release for said catch; a further object is to provide a mechanical, releasable hook which can be manually operated; a still further object is to provide a releasable hook having relatively few parts or components; a still further object is to provide a releasable hook having relatively few moving parts; another object is to provide a releasable hook which can be easily operated so as to quickly allow the releasable hookand the like to disengage; a still further object is to provide a releasable hook having a completely closed position, a fully open position, and an intermediate position between the completely closed position and the fully open position; and, a still further object is to provide a releasable hook which is inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be more particularly brought forth upon reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of the invention, and the claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating a portion of this releasable hook and with a plate broken away to show the major portion of a U-shaped hook, a rotatable catch, a rotatable lever, a connecting link and a crank;

FIG. 2, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating the two spaced apart plates, a portion of the rotatable catch, the crank, a crosshead and a mounting bracket;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view with one of the plates broken away to illustrate, in phantom, the releasable hook with the lever arm, rotatable catch, crank and the U-shaped hook in a position for loading the releasable hook with a line and, in the solid lines with the lever arm, U-shaped hook, rotatable catch and crank in a position whereby the releasable hook is fully open; and, I

FIG. 4, taken on line 44 of FIG. I, is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lever and illustrates the lever, a plunger, the rotatable catch with an indentation or detent for receiving the plunger, and a connecting link for connecting with the crank.

This invention is for a releasable hook having a frame comprising two spaced apart plates 12 and 14. Each of the plates 12 and 14 comprises a main body portion 16 and, see FIG. 1, a left end portion 18 having a curved end, and an upper right end portion 20.

The lower left end 18 has a curved end 22. On the upper surface of the lower end 18 there is a curved surface 24 which curves upwardly and into the upper surface of the main body portion 16.

The upper right end 20 has a curved upper surface 26. Also, the right end 20 has a flat surface 28. The flat or-straight end surface 28 meets with the curved surface 26. Between the upper curved surface 24 of the end 18 and the curved surface 26 of the end20 there is a flat surface 30.

This releasable hook 10 comprises a U-shaped hook 32 having a main body portion 34, a first leg 36 and a second leg 38. The end 40 of the first leg 36 issubstantially square or flat, and the end 42 of the second leg 38 is curved or round.

The releasable hook comprises the combination of the first leg 36 and the curved surface 24, see FIG. 1 and 3.

The releasable hook 10 comprises a rotatable catch 46 having a lower curved end 48, as seen in FIG. 1, a curved left surface 50 having a curved recess 52, an upper curved surface 54 having two indentations or deten'ts or recesses 56 and 58, an upwardly and outwardly directed lobe 60, and a concave curved surface 62 between the lobe 60 and the lower end 48. A bolt 66 projects through passageways in the lower and left part of the main body portion 16 in both of the plates 12 and 14, and through a passageway 68 in the rotatable catch 46 so as to position the rotatable catch 46 between the two plates 12 and 14. It is to be understood that the rotatable catch 46 is free to rotate around the shank of the bolt 66.

There is a rotatable lever 70 having an upper body portion 72, a middle body portion comprising two spaced apart sides 74 and 76, and a lower body portion comprising two spaced apart legs 78 and 80. The spaced apart sides 74 and 76 define a passageway 82. In the upper part of each leg 78 and 80 there is a passageway and these passageways are aligned. Further, in the central portion of the main body portion 16 of the plates 12 and 14 there are aligned passageways. A bolt 84 projects through the aligned passageways in the plates 12 and 14 and also in the aligned passageways in the upper part of the legs 78 and 80 so as to position the rotatable lever 70 between the plates 12 and 14. It is to be understood that the rotatable lever 70 is free to rotate around the bolt 84 and between the plates 12 and 14.

In the upper body 72 there is a relatively large short passageway 86. The passageway 86 is in the lower part of 72 and connects with the passageway 82. In the upper part 72 there is a passageway 88. The passageway 88 connects with the passageway 86.

On the upper end of the rotatable lever 70 there is an upwardly curving flange 90.

There is positioned on this flange 90 a rotatable lever 92 having a main body portion 94 with an eye 96. Also, the main body portion 94 on the other end divides into two spaced apart legs 98 and' 100. The two spaced apart legs on their upper surface have a concave surface 10 2.The main body portion 94 has a hub 104. A pin 106 projects through a passageway in the hub 104 and also through a passageway in the curved flange 90. It is to be understood that the lever 92 is free to rotate around the pm 106 and therefore rotates with respect to the lever 70.

In the passageways 86 and 88 there is a rod 110. The upper end of the rod 110 has a head 112. The head 112 is larger than' the distance between the legs 98 and 100. on the lower end of'the rod 110 there is a plunger 114. At the junction of the passageway 86 and the passageway 88there is a shoulder 116. A spring 118 is positioned 'in the passageway 86 and bears against the inner end of the'plunger 114 and the shoulder 116 so as to urge the plunger 114 away from the'shoulder 116, and, also, to urge the head 112 onto the legs 98 and 100. In FIG. 3 it is seen that by rotating the lever 92 in a clockwise direction that the legs 98 and rotate toward the head 112 so as to tend to move the rod out of the passageways 86 and 88.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 it is seen that part of the rotatable catch 46 is positioned in the passageway 82 between the sides 74 and 76.

In FIG. 1 it is seen that part of the rotatable lever 70 covers, generally, the central portion of the rotatable catch 46. And, in FIG. 3 that part of the rotatable lever 70 covers part of the outwardly directed lobe 60.

The releasable hook comprises a crank 120 having a first leg 122 and a second leg 124. The crank 120 has a hub 126. In the hub 126 there is a passageway In each of the plates 12 and 14 there is a pasageway 130. The passageways 130 are aligned. A bolt 132 projects through the passageways 130 in the plates 12 and 14 and also projects through the passageway 128 in the hub 126. This positions the bell crank 120 with respect to the plates 12 and 14. On the threaded end of the bolt 132 there is a nut 134.

In FIG. 3 it is seen that the legs 122 and 124 are at a slight angle with respect to each other. In FIG. 3 it is seen that in the upper left part of the leg 122 there is a recess, a concave recess 138.

In FIGS. 1 and 3 it is seen that the rotatable catch 46 has, on the outwardly directed lobe 60, a convex curved lower surface 140 which mates with the concave recess 138 in the leg 122 of the bell crank 120. In FIG. 1 it is seen that the concave recess 138 of the leg 122 of the bell crank 120 assists in preventing the rotation, in a clockwise direction, of the rotatable catch 46.

In FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 itis seen that there is a connecting link 146 between the lower end of the rotatable lever 70 and the lower end of the bell crank 120. The lower end of the leg 124 is split, see the phantom line 140, see FIGS. 1 and 3. A pin 150 connects the connecting link 146 to the legs 78 and 80. A pin 152 connects the connecting link 146 to the lower end of the leg 124 of the bell crank 120. It is to be realized that the rotatable lever 70 and the connecting link 146 are free to rotate with respect to each other and around the pin 150. It

is to be realized that the connecting link 146 and the bell crank 120 are free to rotate with respect to each other and around the pin 152.

There is a mounting bracket 156 having a base 158. There is an upright support 160. The upright support supports a half-circular upright structural member 162. Also, on the upper part of the half-circular upright structural member 162 in the support 160 there is a flat plate or member 164.

In the member 164 there is a passageway 166. In the plate 158 there is a tapped passageway 168. A bolt 170 projects through the passageway 166 and is screwed into the tapped passageway 168.

The mounting bracket 156 is attached to a pier or to the top of a piling 172 by means of lag bolts 174.

There is a crosshead 180 positioned on the mounting bracket 156. In FIGS. 1 and 2 it is seen that the crosshead comprises a main, generally, cylindrical body 182 having a longitudinal passageway 184 therein. Also, it is seen that to the left of the body 182 there: is an upwardly and outwardly directed flange 186. In the flange 186 there is a passageway 188. It is to be noted that the passageway 184 is substantially at a right angle with respect to the passageway 188.

In the maincylindrical body 182 and on each side of the flange 186 there is a substantially straight and flat shoulder 192, see FIGS. 1 and 2.

In each of the plates 12 and 14 and near the flat surface 28, on the end of each of these plates, there is a passageway 196. The two passageways 196 are aligned with each other. A bolt 198 projects thorugh the passageways 196 and the passageway 188 in the flange 186. In FIG. 2 it is seen that the flange 186 is between the inner surfaces of the two plates 12 and 14. On the threaded end of the bolt 198 there is a nut 200.

It is to be realized that the releasable hook 10 can be rotated around the bolt 198. In FIG. 1 it is seen that the flat surface 28 on the end ofeach of the plates 12 and 14, in conjunction with the flat surfaces 192 of the crosshead 180 restrict the downward rotation of the releasable hook 10. In FIG. 1 it is seen that the releasable hook 10 is substantially at right angles to the main cylindrical body 182 of the crosshead 180. In FIG. 1 it is seen that the curved surface 26 on the upper end of each of the plates 12 and 14 allows the releasable hook 10 to be rotated upwardly through an angle of approximately The U-shaped hook 32 is positioned near the end 18 and between the plates 12 and 14 by means of a bolt 204. The bolt 204 is positioned in aligned passageways in the plates 12 and 14 and also positioned in a passageway in the U-shaped hook 32. It is to be realized that the U-shaped hook 32 is free to rotate around the bolt 204.

In operation, the releasable hook functions as follows. Again, the releasable hook is defined as the first leg 36 in conjunction with the curved upper surfaces 24 of the plates 12 and 14. In FIG. 1 a cable 206 is locked in the releasable hook 10. This cable 206 may be a wire cable, a chain, a manila rope, a plastic rope or other suitable cable or line 206. In FIG. 1, the plunger 114 is in the indentation or detent or recess or cavity 56. The rotatable lever 70 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as far as the structural limitations of the releasable hookwill permit. The end 42 of the second leg 38 is positioned in the recess 52 of the rotatable catch 46. The concave curved upper recess 138 of the bell crank is bearing against the convex curved surface of the outwardly directed lobe 60 of the rotatable catch 46 so as to prevent the rotation of the rotatable catch 46 and, in turn, this prevents the rotation of the second leg 38 of the U-shaped hook 32 and also prevents the rotation of the first leg 36 of the U-shaped hook 32. Further, the flat surface 40 of the first leg 36 is juxtapositioned with respect to the rotatable lever 70. In other words, the line 206 is substantially is enclosed and locked in between the first leg 36, the curved surfaces 24 and the rotatable lever 70. In this position, it is virtually impossible for the line 206 to be released by the releasable hook 10.

Now, if the operator manually pulls on a cord 208 which passes through the eye 96 of the lever 92, it is possible to pull the rod 110 partially out of the passageways 86 and 88. In turn, the plunger 114 is moved partially out of the indentation or recess or cavity 56. If the weight of the line will be sufficient to rotate the U- shaped hook 32 in a counterclockwise direction so as to allow the line to escape from the releasable hook 10.

There is a third position for the releasable hook 10.

This third position is illustrated by the phantom lines of the releasable hook 32 and the rotatable lever 70, see FIG. 3. The position of the phantom lines of the rotatable lever 70 and the U-shaped hook 32 and the position of the phantom lines of the rotatable catch 46 show a loading position for the releasable hook 10. The plunger 114 is in the recess or indentation or detent or cavity 58 of the rotatable catch 46. The upper surface of the leg 122 of the bell crank 120 is bearing against the convex curved lower surface 140 of the rotatable catch 46. The curved end 42 of the second leg 38 of the U-shaped hook 32 is bearing against part of the surface of the rotatable catch 46 surrounding the recess 52. In other words, the U-shaped book 32 is locked in position with the leg 36 spaced apart from the upper curved surfaces 24 and with the rotatable lever 70 positioned away from the end 40 of the first leg 36 so as to allow the line 206 to be manually moved between the end 40 of the leg 36 and the rotatable lever 70, in FIG. 3 there is illustrated sufficient clearance for such movement of a line, so as to position a line 206 between the inner surface of the first leg 36 and the upper surfaces 24 of the plates 12 and 14. With the U-shaped hook 32 and the rotatable lever 70 locked in this position, it is relatively easy for the person on the dock or pier to manually position the line 206 in the releasable hook 10. Then, the U-shaped hook 32 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, and the rotatable lever 70 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction so as to assume the position shown in FIG. 1 with the end 40 of the first leg 36 juxtapositioned to the rotatable lever 70 and with the line 206 between the inner surface of the first leg 36 and the upper surfaces of the plates 12 and 14; so, in effect, the line 206 is locked into position.

From the foregoing it is seen that I have presented a specific description of the releasable hook of this invention, the manner of its construction and the manner of its operation, and therefore What I claim is:

1. A releasable hook, said releasable hook comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and a second leg;

c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame;

d. a rotatable catch;

c. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg;

f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame;

g. a rotatable lever;

h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame;

i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever;

j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook;

k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates;

1. said rotatable catch has an upper surface;

m. an indentation in said upper surface;

n. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger;

0. said plunger fitting with said indentation;

p. a means uring said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and,

q. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.

2. A releasable hook according to claim 1 and comprising:

a. said rotatable catch having a lobe;

b. said fifth means comprising a movable leg; and,

c. said movable leg having a surface for bearing against said lobe for preventing the movement of said rotatable catch so that with the second leg in said recess said U-shaped hook is positioned with said first leg near but spaced apart from said frame.

3. A releasable hook according to claim 2 and comprising:

a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface;

b. an indentation in said upper surface;

c. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger;

d. said plunger fitting with said indentation;

e. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and,

f. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.

4. A releasable hook according to claim 2 and comprising:

. said rotatable catch has an upper surface;

. a first indentation in said upper surface; a second indentation in said upper surface said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; said plunger fitting with said indentations;

with said plunger in said first indentation said U- shaped hook is positioned so that the second leg is in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame for said releasable hook;

g. with said plunger in said second indentation said rotatable catch is moved away from said second leg but the end of said second leg is still in said recess and said first leg is positioned near but spaced apart from said frame and the end of said first leg is spaced apart from said rotatable lever so that said releasable hook is in a loading position;

h. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, 1

i. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.

5. A releasable hook according to claim 1 and comprising:

a. said rotatable catch having a lobe;

b. said fifth means comprising a rotatable crank having a first leg and a second leg;

c. a means positioning said rotatable crank on said frame so as to allow said crank to rotate with respect to said frame; and,

d. said second leg having a surface for bearing against said lobe for preventing the movement of said rotatable crank so that with the second leg in said recess said U-shaped hook is positioned with said first leg near but spaced apart from said frame.

6. A releasable hook according to claim and comprising:

a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface;

b. an indentation in said upper surface;

c. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger;

d. said plunger fitting with said indentation;

e. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch'with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and,

f. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.

7. A releasable hook according to claim 5 and comprising:

a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface;

b. a first indentation in said upper surface;

c. a second indentation in said upper surface;

d. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger;

c. said plunger fitting with said indentations;

f. with said plunger in said first indentation said U- shaped hook is positioned so that the second leg is in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook;

g. with said plunger in said second indentation said rotatable catch in moved away from said second leg but the end of said second leg is still in said rec ess and said first leg is positioned near but spaced apart from said frame and the end of said first leg is spaced apart from said rotatable lever so that said releasable hook is in a loading position;

h. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and,

i. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.

8. A releasable hook, said releasable hook comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and a second leg;

c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame;

d. a rotatable catch;

c. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg;

f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame;

g. a rotatable lever;

h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame;

i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever;

j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook;

k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates;

1. said frame on that end away from said U-shaped hook has a curved upper shoulder and a straight end;

in. a crosshead;

n. said crosshead having a substantially straight shoulder;

o. a means connecting together said frame and said cross-head so that said frame can rotate around said means with respect to said frame;

p. said curved upper shoulder of said frame allowing said frame to rotate with respect to said crosshead; and,

q. said straight end of said frame when in contact with said substantially straight shoulder of said crosshead preventing rotation of said frame with respect to said crosshead.

9. A releasable hook according to claim 8 and comprising:

a. a mounting bracket; and,

b. a means connecting together said crosshead and I said mounting bracket and allowing rotation of said mounting bracket and said crosshead with respect to each other.

10. A releasable hook, said releasable hook comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and a second leg;

c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame;

d. a rotatable catch;

e. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg;

f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame;

a rotatable lever;

. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame;

i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever;

j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook;

k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates;

I. said frame comprising two spaced apart plates;

m. each of said two spaced apart plates on said frame on that end away from said U-shaped hook has a curved upper shoulder and a straight end;

n. a crosshead;

comprising:

a. a mounting bracket; and,

b. a means connecting together said crosshead and said mounting bracket and allowing rotation of said mounting bracket and said cross head with respect to each other.

12. A releasable hook, said releasable releasable hook comprising:

a. a frame;

b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and second leg;

0. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame;

7 d. a rotatable catch;

e. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg;

f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame;

g. a rotatable lever;

h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame;

i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever;

j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame sorm said releasable hook;

k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates;

I. said rotatable catch has an upper surface;

m. a first indentation in said upper surface;

It. a second indentation in said upper surface;

0. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger;

p. said plunger fitting with said indentations;

q. with said plunger in said first indentation said U- shaped hook is positioned so that the second leg is in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook;

r. with said plunger in said second indentation said rotatable catch is moved away from said second leg but the end of said second leg is still in said recess and said first leg is positioned near but spaced apart from said frame and the end of said first leg is spaced apart from said rotatable lever so that said releasable hook is in a loading position;

s. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, l

. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger. 

1. A releasable hook, said releasable hook comprising: a. a frame; b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and a second leg; c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame; d. a rotatable catch; e. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg; f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame; g. a rotatable lever; h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame; i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever; j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook; k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates; l. said rotatable catch has an upper surface; m. an indentation in said upper surface; n. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; o. said plunger fitting with said indentation; p. a means uring said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, q. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.
 2. A releasable hook according to claim 1 and comprising: a. said rotatable catch having a lobe; b. said fifth means comprising a movable leg; and, c. said movable leg having a surface for bearing against said lobe for preventing the movement of said rotatable catch so that with the second leg in said recess said U-shaped hook is positioned with said first leg near but spaced apart from said frame.
 3. A releasable hook according to claim 2 and comprising: a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface; b. an indentation in said upper surface; c. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; d. said plunger fitting with said indentation; e. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, f. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.
 4. A releasable hook according to claim 2 and comprising: a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface; b. a first indentation in said upper surface; c. a second indentation in said upper surface d. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; e. said plunger fitting with said indentations; f. with said plunger in said first indentation said U-shaped hook is positioned so that the second leg is in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame for said releasable hook; g. with said plunger in said second indentation said rotatable catch is moved away from said second leg but the end of said second leg is still in said recess and said first leg is positioned near but spaced apart from said frame and the end of said first leg is spaced apart from said rotatable lever so that said releasable hook is in a loading position; h. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, i. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.
 5. A releasable hook according to claim 1 and comprising: a. said rotatable catch having a lobe; b. said fifth means comprising a rotatable crank having a first leg and a second leg; c. a means positioning said rotatable crank on said frame so as to allow said crank to rotate with respect to said frame; and, d. said second leg having a surface for bearing against said lobe for preventing the movement of said rotatable crank so that with the second leg in said recess said U-shaped hook is positioned with said first leg near but spaced apart from said frame.
 6. A releasable hook according to claim 5 and comprising: a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface; b. an indentation in said upper surface; c. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; d. said plunger fitting with said indentation; e. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, f. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.
 7. A releasable hook according to claim 5 and comprising: a. said rotatable catch has an upper surface; b. a first indentation in said upper surface; c. a second indentation in said upper surface; d. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; e. said plunger fitting with said indentations; f. with said plunger in said first indentation said U-shaped hook is positioned so that the second leg is in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook; g. with said plunger in said second indentation said rotatable catch in moved away from said second leg but the end of said second leg is still in said recess and said first leg is positioned near but spaced apart from said frame and the end of said first leg is spaced apart from said rotatable lever so that said releasable hook is in a loading position; h. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, i. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger.
 8. A releasable hook, said releasable hook comprising: a. a frame; b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and a second leg; c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to Allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame; d. a rotatable catch; e. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg; f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame; g. a rotatable lever; h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame; i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever; j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook; k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates; l. said frame on that end away from said U-shaped hook has a curved upper shoulder and a straight end; m. a crosshead; n. said crosshead having a substantially straight shoulder; o. a means connecting together said frame and said cross-head so that said frame can rotate around said means with respect to said frame; p. said curved upper shoulder of said frame allowing said frame to rotate with respect to said crosshead; and, q. said straight end of said frame when in contact with said substantially straight shoulder of said crosshead preventing rotation of said frame with respect to said crosshead.
 9. A releasable hook according to claim 8 and comprising: a. a mounting bracket; and, b. a means connecting together said crosshead and said mounting bracket and allowing rotation of said mounting bracket and said crosshead with respect to each other.
 10. A releasable hook, said releasable hook comprising: a. a frame; b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and a second leg; c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame; d. a rotatable catch; e. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg; f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame; g. a rotatable lever; h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame; i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever; j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook; k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates; l. said frame comprising two spaced apart plates; m. each of said two spaced apart plates on said frame on that end away from said U-shaped hook has a curved upper shoulder and a straight end; n. a crosshead; o. said crosshead having a substantially straight shoulder; p. a means connecting together said frame and said crosshead so that said frame can rotate around said means with respect to said frame; q. said curved upper shoulder of said frame allowing said frame to rotate with respect to said crosshead; and, r. said straight end of said frame when in contact with said substantially straight shoulder of said corrshead preventing rotation of said frame with respect to said crosshead.
 11. A releasable hook according to claim 10 and comprising: a. a mounting bracket; and, b. a means connecting together said crosshead and said mounting bracket and allowing rotation of said mounting bracket and said cRoss head with respect to each other.
 12. A releasable hook, said releasable releasable hook comprising: a. a frame; b. a generally U-shaped hook having a first leg and second leg; c. a first means mounting said U-shaped hook on said frame so as to allow said hook to rotate with respect to said frame; d. a rotatable catch; e. said rotatable catch having a recess for receiving the second leg; f. a second means mounting said rotatable catch on said frame so as to allow said rotatable catch to rotate with respect to said frame; g. a rotatable lever; h. a third means mounting said rotatable lever on said frame so as to allow said rotatable lever to rotate with respect to said frame; i. a fourth locking means connecting said rotatable catch and said rotatable lever; j. a fifth means for positioning said rotatable lever and said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame sorm said releasable hook; k. a sixth means connecting said rotatable lever and said fifth means so that upon rotating said rotatable lever said fifth means rotates; l. said rotatable catch has an upper surface; m. a first indentation in said upper surface; n. a second indentation in said upper surface; o. said rotatable lever comprising a movable plunger; p. said plunger fitting with said indentations; q. with said plunger in said first indentation said U-shaped hook is positioned so that the second leg is in said recess in said rotatable catch and with said first leg positioned near but spaced apart from said frame so that in effect said first leg and said frame form said releasable hook; r. with said plunger in said second indentation said rotatable catch is moved away from said second leg but the end of said second leg is still in said recess and said first leg is positioned near but spaced apart from said frame and the end of said first leg is spaced apart from said rotatable lever so that said releasable hook is in a loading position; s. a means urging said movable plunger toward and into said indentation to position said rotatable catch with the second leg in said recess in said rotatable catch; and, t. fourth locking means comprising said movable plunger. 